Good Afternoon;

I just purchased a 1987 300D Turbo Diesel...6cyl
I purchased it in PA, and drove it home to Ontario Canada, it drives like a dream!
10 hours highway driving, and the car handles/drives amazing.
On the drive home the speedometer quit.
So after reading the forums today, I removed the instrument cluster , and determined the speedometer cable is broken..(pulled top 5' out)
The cable is $154.00 from Mercedes..I just ordered a universal sppedo cable kit, for $10.00, and will try to install it tomorrow.
Any tips on that would be muchly appreciated.

My main question..is the tachometer.
It worked fine, until I pulled the instrument cluster.
I read all the posts, but being new to Mercedes, and by no means a mechanical wizard, I'm not sure what to do.
Upon removing the cluster, I unhooked the main wire on the left side, and the speedo cable, and 2 electrical hookups.
I've checked, rechecked, and rechecked all the connections, and they all seem fine, and are all rehooked, clock, oil pressure, gas gauge, and temp gauge are all working...but no tach.

I have read many posts on the tach..even the cigarrette fix.
But couldn't find the cylinder on the firewall.

I'm thinking I disturbed something electrical upon removing the instrument panel.

Can anyone offer any suggestions, to a fairly ignorant, but eager to learn newbie?

Thanks in advance;

Terry

Universal speedo kit? Never heard of such a thing for an 87 300D. Although there is a big honking cable, the speedo is driven by an electrical pulse from the transmission.

Cigarette butt fix doesn't apply to your model.

Is it possible there was a connector that came off as you pulled the cluster such that you woulnd't have seen it to know to reconnect it? I don't have a picture of the back of the cluster but the connectors are obvious.

Just to dismiss other possibilities - does the cruise control work? Can you get the AC compressor to engage (check with AC in defrost mode)? These systems rely on an engine speed signal. If these systems don't work, it's possible the problem isn't at the tach and it's just a coincidence it went bad when you pulled the cluster.

Sixto
87 300D

The '87 300D has a mechanical/cable speedometer.

For the tachometer, as Sixto mentions, are there other things that no longer operate? Is the ABS light on?

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Thanks for the replies.
I'm a litle bit frustrated, but trying to be patient!
I bought the car..well travelled 10 hours to PA, as the car was suposed to be immaculate, and everything worked.
Got there, car is in very good shape, but both rear windows don't work, and now the speedo is broken...not sellers fault, I know.
But now have to fix speedo, and windows.(seller shipping 2 regulators), before I can have certified/inspected.

It appears as though cruise does not work either...pushed lever forward no response.
I didn't use cruise on the trip home, so don't know if it just started not working, or if it was broken when I bought vehicle.
Also waiting for manual for car to be shipped, I pushed lever forward, as showed by seller.
I'm not sure about a/c...its -10 outside, put on defrost, but can't tell if a/c kicked in in dark.

I am quite certain I didn't miss anything unhooked after removing cluster, and checked several times thinking this could be the problem.

The speedo cable is from napa, not sure yet if it will work, its not a MB speedo cable, trying to save money, as this car wasn't meant to be a project...at least not yet!

FYI on the cruise lever:

up = engage/ accelerate

down = decelerate

pull = resume speed

push = disengage

When you want to initially engage the cruse, push the lever up and hold until it "takes over" the pedal.

They inspect windows and speedometers in Canada?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Found a great mechanic.
Have spent last 2 days in shop..and working nights.
Speedo problem, new cable, which broke on the way to work.
Turns out gears in speedometer were seizing, breaking cable....$290.00 in parts..(2 cables)..and $240.00 labour..OUCH!

Mechanic checked a few things, regarding the tachometer not working, wires behind dash all okay, fuses, said power is going to tach?
A/C is working, cruise is not, he says amp is gone in cruise, not related to Tach.
Checked fuse and ovp relay?
Appears fine.

Both rear windows fixed today, both were wiring issues in door..near post.
Bare, and kinked wires, labour intensive= expensive.
In last 2 days have spent $1,300.00, and have had no sleep..!
Pretty stressed now about expense of repairs, was not in the budget at all.
Have to return next week, before certification to have brake work..pads rotors.

I'm still nowhere near figuring out tach...and thats a real pain to me.
I mentioned to mechanic, but don't think he's as concerend as I.
For me, its a new toy, that I thoroughly enjoy driving...and its a part I want working.

From what I've read...based on a/c working..I'm guessing ovp relay?
What are the cost of these?
Is it worth the gamble to purchase one..can't really afford the gamble.
Any further advice would be appreciated!